State of Oklahoma

Ooook-lahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain, and the wavin’ wheat can sure smell sweet when the wind comes right behind the rain. The musical Oklahoma! opened on Broadway in 1943 and ran for a record 2,212 performances. Ten years later the title song — composed and written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein — became the state’s official song and anthem. At its height of awareness, thanks to the musical, Oklahoma was actually experience its only historical decline in population as poor families migrated out because of the Dust Bowl. But temperatures eventually moderated, the rains returned and farmers learned better techniques. Now Oklahoma ranks among the top five states in the production of natural gas and the harvest of wheat. It has also climbed into the top 10 in terms of harnessing wind energy. All of Oklahoma’s Fortune 500 companies are energy related. All things come to a stop every fall when the Bedlam Series between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State meet up on the gridiron. The Sooners hold a huge lead in the series in football, but the Cowboys own the wrestling mat, having won 34 national titles in that sport.